Can a person copy-write their own image to avoid paparazzi selling it?

Question

Can a person copy-write their own image to avoid paparazzi selling it?

Answer 1

Are you that hot? I doubt you are.

Answer 2

An image can't be protected, but a celebrity's person can be.  In certain states, in particular California, permission for use of reproduction of a "well known person's" name, voice or face (not their body oddly enough) is considered mandatory.  Everybody else is fair game.  (As for who qualifies under the law, the courts take a "I know a celebrity when I see one" approach.)  Most states' laws don't extend this far, however, which actually explains why paparazzi prefer to operate in California.  Not only are a lot of celebrities located there (although not as many as you might think, and usually only for this purpose and then they're off to someplace else), but also permission can be obtained without any legal ambiguity.  That's right, most of the pap's buyers--the mags, e-TV and so forth--get permission to use the pap's shots, usually ahead of time, as most of the public photo feeding frenzies you see are arranged by PR agents.   Sorry to ruin the fantasy.

Answer 3

Someone cannot use the image to promote a product without permission. There has to be a release.

However, if you are a public figure and you are out where the public can see you, then there is no copy-write protection against the paparazzi.

Answer 4

Good question. Ask some lawyers.

Answer 5

It's copyright, not copy-write.

If you took the photo, and not someone else (e.g., a paparazza), then you de facto own the copyright to the photo. If a paparazza took the photo, then that photographer owns the rights to it, and you have to buy the copyright from them, which I'm sure they wouldn't sell/transfer. Whoever takes the photo owns the copyright.